ISSN 1608-4977
16 May 2010
BERITA WBC
No.8. Mei-Jun 2010
WBC Directory of Members 2010
WBC has published an updated edition of the Directory. Every member should own a copy. 18 May 2010
Pre-Forum Programmes of 6TH World Islamic Economic Forum
Datin Paduka Hjh Rokiah, WBC President was a panelist in the WIEF Businesswomen Forum “Capitalising on Women Potentials” in Plenary 2 - Opportunity in crisis : identifying new dynamics. It was held in KLCC, Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the Forum organised by the World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation. The forum addressed topical issues faced by women entrepreneurs in moving ahead in their respective economic fields. It is aimed at giving inspiration based on women’s success stories, networking opportunities to discuss business challenges and trends. Datin Paduka brought along a few copies of WBC Directory of Members. Datin’s participation was sponsored by the organisers.
24-26 May 2010
ASEAN Tourism HRD Program
The ASEAN Korea Centre in collaboration with Brunei Tourism organised a training workshop for professionals from the tourism industry including tour agents, tour guides, travel agents, airlines, hoteliers & vacation homestays, business councils. It was held at the Orchid Garden Hotel. Many business establishments were affected following the decreasing number of Korean tourists to the country compared to several years ago because of the discontinuation of chartered flights from Korea. The training programme was aimed at providing basic knowledge to Brunei tourism industry players on the basic need of Korean tourists when they are in Brunei. The training programme was designed to help the Brunei tourism industry professionals to further improve their services provided to the Korean tourists. The course was divided into three subjects - Korean Tourism, Korean Culture and Korean Language. WBC was represented by Datin Paduka Hjh Rokiah, WBC President, Dyg Hjh Mordiah, Nellie, Dk Hamdiah and Dyg Ariah. The ASEAN Korea Centre is formed with the aim in increasing trade volume, accelerate investment flow, invigorate tourism, and enrich cultural exchanges between the ASEAN Member states and the ROK. 29 May 2010
Handing over of cheque
The President proudly held a cheque for WBC Fund from proceeds raised during the Charity Gala Night organised by WBC and Sounds of Hope.
5 June 2010
SEDCO’s visit
Datin Paduka Hjh Rokiah, WBC President and EXCO members joined the Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry in welcoming the Sabah Economic Development Corporation delegation who were in Brunei Darussalam for the Halah Expo. Members met up with representatives from the Sabah Women Entrepreneurs and Ms Arlinsia Agang of DPBS Holding a subsidary of Sabah Bumiputera Chamber of Commerce. The meemting was held at Awg Hj Razali’s Archipelago Office. 3 June 2010
Opening of 5th International Halal Products Expo The EXPO was launched by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan Negara Brunei Darussalam. The Halal Expo is to help SMEs break into the world market. It was held at the ICC.
Brunei will start exporting goods under the Brunei Halal Brand in the fourth quarter. The first range of products - a range of snacks, confectioneries, chocolates and drinks were unvieled at the expo. Ghanim is the company appointed by His Majesty's Government to handle and manage the marketing of Brunei's premium halal brand. It aims at the UK and the Middle East markets.
5-6 June 2010 International Halal Marketing Conference 2010
The conference theme: Halal - The Next Decade: Reviewing The Past, Analysing The Present, Glimpsing The Future. It was declared open by HRH Princess Masna, Ambassador-At-Large, MOFAT. The conference programme was divided into 4 main sessions and presented by recognised Halal market experts. Global Market Perspectives on Retail, Manufacturing and Restaurant sectors Converging Market Forces covering Tourism, Online Media & Islamic Finance National Halal development programmes from leading SEA countries National halal development initiatives from Muslim minority countries An open forum Datin Paduka Hjh Rokiah, WBC President and EXCO members participated in the 2 day conference. It was held at the Main Hall, ICC.
10 June 2010
2nd Cluster Development Programme Datin Paduka Hjh Rokiah, WBC President and EXCO members joined some 50 participants in the workshop organised by the Entrepreneurship Development Centre and led by Mr Stanley Ansong from the Commonwealth Secretariat. This is a follow-up to the 1st workshop held on 29 Oct 2009.
A business cluster is a geographic concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers and associated institutions. It is an agent of change, leading SME innovation and growth reducing reliance on the government to create business opportunities. It was held at Dewan Amar Pahlawan, MIPR. 16 June 2010 Roadshow
BIMP EAGA Business EXPO and Business Conference 2010
The Sarawak Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Brunei BIMPEAGA Council in collaboration with MOFAT & MIPR held a roadshow to invite Brunei businesses to participate in the forthcoming BIMP EAGA Business EXPO and Business Conference 2010 to be held in Kuching from 29 Sept to 1 Oct 2010. It was held at the Media Room, ICC. Welcoming remarks was delivered by Awg Hj Ismail, Interim Chairman BIMP-EAGA Business Council.
17 June 2010
Cheque Presentation to Pusat Ehsan Dyg Hjh Mordiah representing the President, Women’s Business Council-Brunei Darussalam (WBC) presented a cheque to the Pusat Ehsan which was received by Dato Paduka Haji Alimin Hj Abd Wahab, Senior Trustee of the Board of Trustees, Pusat Ehsan. It was witnessed by the Board Members from both parties and representatives from the
Sounds of Hope and the media. The donation was from proceeds raised during a Charity Gala Night held on 3 October 2009 at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre organised by WBC in collaboration with the Sounds of Hope and supported by the Department of Community Development. 19 June 2010
Discussion with Oman Chamber of Commerce
Awg Abu Sufian, Director of International Trade, MOFAT welcomed the Omanian delegation headed by Mr Saud and representatives from WBC, DPMB, CCC to the discussion held at 11.20am at Briefing Room, ICC. The discussion focused on exploring investment and business opportunities in Oman and Brunei and the proposed BruneiOman Business Council and Business Forum 2011 in Oman. The delegation was in Brunei attending the 1st JCM Brunei-Oman. 20 June 2010
WBC celebrates its 10th Anniversary
We are 10 today !. Thank you all for making WBC what it is today, a strong, united and committed body drawing its strength from dedicated members. It leads and inspires women to achieve success in their businesses and economic endeavours. 22 June 2010
Visit to Temburong
The group headed by Nellie DP Sunny began at 6.00am from Bandar Seri Begawan by car via Limbang. Upon reaching Bangar at 8am, we were met by Dyg Umaina from the Temburong District Office and Dyg Salmah who acted as our guides. Our first stop was at Kg Belais & Buda-Buda in Mukim Bokok. This village was named the winner of the Bronze Medalist in the National Level Anugerah Kampong Cemerlang 2009 on 13 February 2009. We were greeted and welcomed by Awg Hj Ahmad Md Hussain, the Village Head who hosted a lovely breakfast for us. It adopts the one village, one product concept. We saw the Malay kuih-wajid, wajid keladi with durian flavour and penyaram and handicrafts produced by the women folks followed by a penyaram making demo. We also saw the recreation and fishing ground and the chalet. Entrance fee is $2.00. Members are interested in the overnight chalet accommodation. The group then visited the Temburong Heritage, Arts and Cultural Gallery housed in a historic building previously the Temburong District Office. The original building was built in 1952. The ‘museum’ was developed by the Village Consultative Council and was opened on 29 March 2008. The artefacts and photographs were contributed generously by the community. It has various galleries namely the District Office, Nostalgic, the Malay Kedayan, Murut, Iban and Chinese ethnic communities. Entrance fee $1.00. We also stopped at the Bangar tamu.
Before our journey back to Bandar Seri Begawan we made a stop at the Trandie Marina Resort at Batang Duri- a pioneering local eco-tourism facility. It was built in 1997 surrounded by a lust natural green forest. We were greeted by Awg Hj Hussin Ahmad, a co-owner who hosted a lunch for us and took us on a walk through the facilities and the theme park of herbal garden, Brunei orchids and bird aviary. The resort built along the Pandaruan river specialises in eco-tourism programmes, outdoor team building activities and wild life adventure programmes –night safari, jungle and mangrove outings, tree house, trails for treking, rafting, survival programmes and outdoor camping experience. It provides facilities such as overnight accommodation for tourists and locals besides providing trainers and guides to conduct adventure activities. It is managed by a team of 12 full-time staff and a day trip can take up to 150 persons. Members were interested in the herbal garden and the various outdoor activities and have expressed interest to make a return visit with their families.
©BERITA WBC is produced by the Women’s Business Council-Brunei Darussalam. c/o RNCS Training Centre, Unit 2, Block C, Bgn Hj Lajim, Kiarong BE1318. Tel/Fax.2420772. email.wbc.bru@gmail.com. Editor. Nellie Sunny. Credits:Borneo Bulletin, Brunei Times, Pelita Brunei.